Salem Community Patriot
April 23, 2010 - 3
Mothers of Military Soldiers (MOMS) Attendance Grows
by Jay Hobson
A couple of years ago, in March 2008, I wrote an article about a small group of women who met at the Boys & Girls Club to talk and support each other because they were the mothers of military soldiers (MOMS) serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. Recently, while at the town hall, I saw one of the mothers, Pam Russell, and asked how the MOMS were doing. She said that the group was still meeting at the Boys & Girls Club. I asked if I could attend a meeting because I’d like to do a follow-up story. She said she would ask the other MOMS, and I that should get back to her via e-mail. I did, and the MOMS graciously allowed me to attend their meeting. I was not prepared for what I saw when I entered the room. Back in 2008, there were four moms in attendance. Today, there’s nearly three times that number gathered around a conference table, sharing snacks and stories about their children in uniform. Eleven mothers (three more couldn’t attend that evening due to other commitments) sharing, laughing, and being there for each other. At the far end of the table, Ana Diaz was sharing about her son who is serving his first year in the Army and is currently stationed in Kuwait. It was her first time at the meeting and even though a little nervous speaking to the group, her pride in her son was obvious.
Pride is a recurrent theme among these women. Pride, worry, and all the other emotions that a mother feels when her child is in the military. “Women tend to open up more than men. Men [husbands and fathers] still are experiencing the same feelings, but women tend to open up more and
discuss things and find comfort from each other. The group is here as a support, somewhere we can go as mothers of soldiers and talk about our sons with someone who is going through the same experience. They understand exactly what we’re dealing with— the highs and the lows,” Russell said. Russell’s son Tom was a combat engineer in 2008, and is now retired from the military. Sons, yes, and daughters, too. Heather Igoe, whose daughter is in the Army on
Inactive Ready Reserve status after having a baby and could be called to active duty at any time, shares her thoughts about a daughter in the military. “Sarah is a loving mom herself, but often thinks of the people she served with and is anxious to go back if she’s called,” Igoe said. There is an old saying that goes: ‘The hand that
rocks the cradle rules the world,’ meaning that the values that are instilled by mothers create the future world we live in. With these MOMS and the many others that are around the country, it should be: ’The hand that rocked the cradle is protecting the world.’ The MOMS and their children are: Heather Igoe, daughter Sarah, Army Reserve; Darryl Martineau, son Air Force, Haiti; Pam Russell, son, Army (retired); Deb Cotton, son, Army, Afghanistan; Lou Penny, son, Army National Guard; Ana Diaz, son, Kuwait; Lisa Giocchini, son, Marines, Okinawa; Shirley Janeiro, son, Marines, North Carolina; Sheila Flores, nephew, Army, Kuwait; Valerie Haffey, son, Marines, North Carolina; Donna Velt, son, Army, Honorably Discharged. (Also Jackie Masse, Sandy Bohne, and Colleen Noble, who couldn’t be at the meeting that night.)
www.woofwoof.net
Doggie Daycare & Training Center
70 Range Rd, Windham
890.6239
by Jay Hobson
Even with all of the recreation department’s diamonds (the baseball
variety), the jewel of the department is Hedgehog Park. The water of the park’s Hedgehog Pond glistens and sparkles in the late afternoon sun like the many facets of a diamond, and the sky is reflected in a deep, sapphire blue. Around the pond, fishermen try their luck at catching brook trout
left over from the recent fishing derby while nature enthusiasts walk the well-marked nature trail that encircles the pond. Fisherman Bill Rudd and his grandson Jason Allegresso, 13, try their luck at the far end of the pond with, unfortunately, no results, while snorkeler Emre Okmen skewered two good-sized brook trout with a spear gun. (Spear guns are not allowed at the park.) Okmen is a professional diver and moved to the United States from Turkey three years ago. The park is undergoing some improvements under the direction of Recreation Director Chris Dillon. “The new skateboard park has been paved, the fencing has arrived
Hedgehog Park a Salem Treasure
FREE
1st Day of Doggie Daycare
with this ad- new clients only
www.woofwoof.net
Above, now: Mothers of Military Soldiers meet to support each other at the Boys & Girls Club every other Tursday at 7 p.m.
Pictured are: Heather Igoe, Darryl Martineau,
www.woofwoof.net
Pam Russell, Deb Cotton, Lou Penny, Ana Diaz, Lisa Giocchini, Shirley Janeiro, Shiela Flores,
Valerie Haffey, and Donna Velt.
Doggie Daycare
(Not pictured: Jackie Masse, Sandy Bohne, and Colleen Noble)
& Training Center
70 Range Rd, Windham
890.6239
1st Day of Doggie Daycare
Doggie Daycare & Training Center
70 Range Rd, Windham
890.6239
1st Day of Doggie Daycare
FREE
with this ad- new clients only
and lighting installed, and a new paved walkway leading to the warming shack has been installed,” Dillon said. Also noticeable is a new entrance sign and stone entry, an expanded parking area, and Comcast volunteers power-washed the warming shack. Comcast will return on Saturday with about 100 volunteers for its Comcast Cares event, according to a recreation department spokesman. All in all, the park affords residents and others a relaxing day of fishing and hiking, and soon, swimming will be a refreshing addition during the hot days of summer. Just leave the spear guns and any other projectiles at home.
FREE
with this ad- new clients only
www.woofwoof.net
Collins Dentistry for Children
(603)635-1166
At Collins Dentistry for Children we
Doggie Daycare
& Training Center
70 Range Rd, Windham
890.6239
1st Day of Doggie Daycare
FREE
with this ad- new clients only
Golden
believe in prevention and early treatment.
Preventive & Restorative Care • Orthodontics
• Emergency Appointments Available
• Hospital Dentistry Available • In House Nitrous Sedation • Computerized Digital X-Rays & Intra-Oral Cameras
• Saturday Appointments (resuming in Fall) • Healthy Kids
Come visit our office at 100 Bridge Street, Pelham, NH
dr.nilfa@myfairpoint.net www.CollinsDentistry.com
Opportunity!
Don’t miss out on a
Benches provide a tranquil place of contemplation at Hedgehog Park
Bring in your gold
for cash while supporting local animal rescue
Sat. April 24, 2-6
First Congregational Church 2 Main St, Pelham
www.arnne.org
Hedgehog Park’s new entrance
Bill Rudd and grandson Jason Allegresso, 13, fish using more traditional methods
ROCKINGHAM PARK
Saturday, May 1st
Derby Day $250
Texas Hold’em Tournament
12:00 Noon
Blackjack, Roulette & Boston 5
$1.00 - $4.00 Cash Poker
Must be 18 to play
Proceeds to benefit local charity
Run for the Roses
via simulcast at Rockingham Park Doors Open at 10:00 am
Derby Day Prime Rib Buffet - $21.95 per person
Reservations Strongly Suggested
www.rockinghampark.com
Rockingham Park Blvd., Salem, NH Route 93 to exit 1, follow the signs Call 603-898-2311 for more information
Ten: Mothers of Military Soldiers, March 2008 – Donna Velt, Sandra Bohne, Pam Russell, and Lou Penny
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18